Joe W. Tinsley
Joe Willis Tinsley, 78, Humansville, died Tuesday morning, May 11, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. He was born Dec. 22, 1920, in Wheatland to Asa Roy and Edna Francis Pitts Tinsley. At the age of 10, he moved with his family to southeast of Flemington, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Rondo Baptist Church. During World War II, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served through combat duty in the Philippines, New Guinea and the East Indies, receiving three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. In 1948 he purchased the farm adjoining his parents, and on March 17, 1951, he was married to Irene Anderson. To this union were born three daughters. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers-in-law, Russell Duncan and Roy Bishop; a sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Tinsley; and a nephew, Donald Joe Duncan. Survivors include his wife, Irene, of the home; three daughters and their husbands, Ella Jean and John Nelson of Dunnegan, Vonna and Don Bauer of Bolivar and Kathy and Joe DuBose of Fort Knox, Ky.; one brother, Eugene Tinsley, and two sisters, Lucille Bishop and Mary Duncan, all of Humansville. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Kevin Nelson, Courtney and Corey Bauer, Alicia, LeAnn and Nathan DuBose; five step-grandchildren, Johnny, Rhonda, Melissa and Daniel Nelson and Stephanie Bauer; 14 step-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends. Services were Friday, May 14, in the Murray Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Johnson and the Rev. Joe Coppedge officiating. Music was provided by Bob and Sandy Lovett. Pallbearers were John Nelson, Don Bauer, Joe DuBose, Joe Steffens, Jim Chaney, Bob Chaney and Randy Garretson. Interment was in the Humansville Cemetery.
Robert A. Vassar
Robert Andrew Vassar, 81, Flemington, died Monday, May 10, 1999, in Truman Lake Manor, Lowry City. The son of Grover S. and Pearl Violet Christner Vassar, he was born April 28, 1918, at Arcadia, Kan. He married Dorothy E. Jessee April 18, 1952. She preceded him in death March 31, 1990. In 1980, he moved to the Lake Pomme de Terre area near Flemington. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for the Jackson County Highway Department. Survivors include two children, Richard Vassar, Flemington, and Rhonda Scranton, Independence; three stepchildren, Evelyn Tittle, Independence, Kenneth Irvine, Raytown, and Norman Irvine, Lone Jack; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Kroger Cemetery near Lone Jack. Arrangements are under the direction of Murray Funeral Home, Humansville.
Paul N. Willis
Paul Newton "Little Newt" Willis, 18, Bolivar, formerly of Marshfield, died at 4:52 p.m. Sunday, May 9, 1999, in his home after a five-year illness from complications of lupus. He had almost completed his junior year at Bolivar High School and was a member of the Highway Assembly of God Church at Brighton. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Willis, and grandparents James Carrier, Wilma Gauss and Henry and Bea Willis. Survivors include his mother, Carita; a sister, Carrie Floyd, and her husband, Frank; and two nieces, Shyan and Sheslay Floyd, all of Bolivar; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Services will be at 3 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Fraker Funeral Home, Marshfield, with the Rev. C.J. Greer officiating. Burial will be in the Marshfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Newt Willis Memorial Fund, c/o Metropolitan National Bank, Marshfield.
Robert E. "Bobby" Barker
Robert Eugene "Bobby" Barker, 39, Bolivar, died Wednesday, June 23, 1999, in his home. He was born Feb. 23, 1960, in Bolivar to Robert Dale and Sharon Wilson Barker. He was a self-employed painter and was a graduate of Bolivar High Shcool in the class of 1978. Survivors include his father and stepmother, Robert Dale and Juanita Barker of Springfield; two half-sisters, Amanda Williams of Republic and Sanya Haralson of Springfield; and his mother, Sharon Lawson of Independence. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith, in 1996 and his brother, Billy, in 1988. Graveside services were Saturday, June 26, in Greenwood Cemetery with the Rev. Gary Parsons officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Virgil Dean Blehm
Dean Blehm, 68, Springfield, formerly of Brighton, died Monday, June 7, 1999, in his home. He was born Aug. 11, 1930, in Scott City, Kan., the son of George and Elizabeth Blehm. He was retired after 40 years as an auto mechanic. Among his many talents, he enjoyed the outdoors, including hunting and fishing. He loved spending time with family and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. He is survived by three sons, Jerry Blehm, Don Blehm and his wife, Carol, and Ron Blehm and his wife, Debbie; two daughters, Cathy Blehm and Cheryl Medlock; two sisters, Verna Robinson and her husband, Ken, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Velma Owen and her husband, Bob, Monticello, Iowa; 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was a loving father and grandfather and will be greatly missed. Graveside services were Friday, June 11, in Brighton Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield. (20c)
Edward M. Brewer
Edward M. Brewer, 51, Humansville, died Sunday, June 6, 1999, at his home. A resident of Humansville for the past year, he formerly lived in Clarksville, Tenn. The son of James Edward and Nedia Mitchell Brewer, he was born July 7, 1946, in Lyles, Tenn. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1970 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He worked as a property manager for several years until his health forced his retirement. On Aug. 15, 1983, he was married to Donna Jarvis in Clarksville, Tenn. His parents and a brother, J.C. Brewer, preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Donna, of the home; five children, Bradley B. Brewer and Dana Lynn Brewer, both of the home, Gary R. Brewer, Memphis Tenn., Susan Watson, Gilbert, S.C., and Edward M. Brewer, address unknown; two brothers, Ralph Brewer, Nashville, Tenn, and James Brewer, Lyles, Tenn.; and two grandchildren. Services will be at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Martin Micke officiating. Amvets Post No. 114 Honor Guard will conduct military rites at graveside. Pallbearers will be Johnny Smithson, Joe Christie, Jamie Young, Donald Manser, Larry Keel and Raymond Grimes. Interment will be in Humansville Cemetery.
Charlie O. Butler
Charlie Oliver Butler, 82, Huron, died Thursday, June 10, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, after a short illness. He was born Aug. 29, 1916, to Oliver and Fairie Butler at their homestead north of Huron. He lived all of his life in the same place except for the four years he spend in the army during World Wor II. The only other time he spent away from the homestead was during the eight months he lived in a Bolivar nursing home prior to his death. He was a farmer and stockman until his health failed him and left him unable to continue his work. During a revival at Center Point Missionary Baptist Church in 1957, he sought salvation and was saved at his home. He joined as a member at Center Point Missionary Baptist Church during that revival and later moved his membership to Goodson Missionary Baptist Church, where he remained a member until his death. He always spoke of the hope he had within his heart that all of his nieces and nephews would receive the same salvation that he had before they departed this world. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Fairie Butler, as well as one sister, Jewell Elliott, and three brothers, Howard Butler, Jacob Butler and Glen Butler. He is survived by one brother, Roy Butler and his wife, Dorothy, of Bolivar. Also surviving is a very near and dear friend, Edith Bybee of Bolivar, who helped him in so many ways. Edith was a friend, a companion and a trusted helpmate to Charley for many years. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, as well as great-great-nieces and -nephews too numerous to name. Services were Saturday, June 13, in Butler Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Floy Parrack and the Rev. Dan Breshears officiating. Burial was in Payne Cemetery near Polk. Casketbearers were Ronnie Butler, Terry Butler, Wayne Elliott, Larry Elliott, Vincent Woods and Deral Vincent.
Bob Butler
Bob Butler, 75, Bolivar, died in his home at 7 a.m. Thursday, June 3, 1999, following an apparent heart attack. He was born in Dunnegan June 29, 1923, to Harry D. and Tommie Baker Butler. He was united in marriage to Alice McGuire on January 21, 1949, in Bolivar. To this union two children were born, Brent and Jana. He was a veteran of World War II and a member of First Baptist Church in Bolivar. He was a 1941 graduate of Bolivar High School and attended Southwest Baptist Junior College. He and his father operated the Ford Tractor and Implement franchise in Bolivar for 23 years. He received his realtor's license in 1970 and founded Bob Butler Real Estate, with which he was associated until his retirement. He was also an agent for United Savings and Loan of Lebanon and a founder of the Bolivar Nursing home and served as a member of its board. He was a longtime active member of the Bolivar Golf Club and a member of Silo Ridge Country Club. He was a member and past president of the Bolivar Rotary Club and also served on the Bolivar City Council. He was an owner and developer of Lakewood Hills subdivisions until selling his interests in recent years. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Alice Butler of the home; one son, Brent, and his wife, Neta, of Bolivar; one daughter, Jana Vieth, and her husband, John, of Springfield; one brother, Paul Butler, of Bolivar; and two granddaughters, Rachelle Butler of Arlington, Texas, and Sarah Huff of Springfield. Also surviving is his mother-in-law, Bertha McGuire of Greenfield. Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and will be sadly missed by his family and many friends. Services were Sunday, June 6, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Ray Leininger, Harold Hendrickson and Melvin Williamson officiating. Music was provided by Brad Wommack, soloist, and Susan Baker, pianist. Casketbearers were Gerald Stephens, Wallace Russell, Charles Fraser, Darrol Cribbs, Hardy Carr and Gary Cloyd. Honorary casketbearers were Gene Hutchison, Clark Roberts, Lloyd Wilson, Weldon Hegle, Dan Bishop and Joe Rayl. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Ruby Marie Campbell
Ruby Marie Campbell, 92, Springfield, died at 8:24 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 1999, at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two sons, Ernie Campbell of Lebanon and David Campbell of Texarkana, Texas; one daughter, Millie Bolin of Buffalo; one brother, Bill Parkinson of Muskogee, Okla.; one sister, Jewel Mass of Hartshorne, Okla.; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) in the Maple Lawn Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Long officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo.
Donald T. "Pink" Carneal
Donald Thomas "Pink" Carneal, 92, Osceola, died Tuesday, June 29, 1999, at Sac-Osage Hospital in Osceola. He was born Jan. 7, 1907, in Cliquot, one of 11 children of Edward and Effie Nichols Carneal. He was a longtime Osceola resident and had lived for six years at Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City. On June 10, 1934, he was united in marriage to Alice Elizabeth Bishop. They were married 53 years, and to this union five children were born. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, on Oct. 30, 1987. Survivors include three daughters, Beatrice Stocklein and her husband, Richard, of Olathe, Kan., Carol Burlingame and her husband, Russell, of El Dorado Springs and Norma Roberts and her husband, Bill, of Lowry City; two sons, Ray Carneal and his wife, Alice, of Bolivar and Lonnie Carneal and his wife, Virginia, of Osceola; two brothers, two sisters, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two step-grandsons and six step-great-grandchildren, as will as other relatives and friends. Services were Friday, July 2, in Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel, Osceola, with the Rev. Randy Hargis officiating. Music was by Rob Self, accompanied by Gail Ingle. Casketbearers were Micheal Roberts, Micheal Carneal, Todd Stocklein, Jason Roberts, David Burlingame, Bill Roberts and Randy Burlingame. Interment was in Freeman-Holsapple Cemetery.
